Girl · 26th of 12,526
Janice
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
407,532
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1951
Peak Popularity Year
15,982
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Janice stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Janice is a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'God is gracious.' It evolved from Yochanan to its modern form through several historical stages. The name is associated with traits of grace and kindness. It does not have a biblical background. Janice became widely popular in the 20th century and is now viewed as a classic name with a nostalgic charm.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈdʒænɪs/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Janice is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, which means 'God is gracious.' It became popular in English-speaking countries through its association with the name Jane.
Meaning
God is gracious
Language Evolution
Yochanan, Johanna, Joan, Jane, Janice
Historical Usage
Janice gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s, becoming a common name for girls.
Variants & Derivatives
Jane, Jan, Janie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Janice is perceived as a classic name, though it has declined in use since its peak mid-century. It is often associated with a sense of tradition and nostalgia.
Famous People
Janice Joplin, Janice Dickinson, Janice Ian
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 15,982 peak births in 1951
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in North Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 6320th of 7545 | 12 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1390th of 6773 | 438 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1486th of 7552 | 527 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3394th of 10718 | 146 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 9851st of 16616 | 34 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 258th of 9107 | 11,913 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 39th of 9204 | 113,428 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 26th of 12526 | 231,082 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 146th of 19264 | 34,402 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 412th of 27321 | 9,522 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 910th of 35406 | 4,347 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1608th of 30306 | 1,626 |